We’ll invest heavily in security, Uhuru assures

March 27, 2014 1:57 pm

By JOSEPH MURAYA, The president says the situation has deteriorated because of under investment in the security sector during previous regimes/PSCUNAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 27 – President Uhuru Kenyatta has said that his government will invest heavily in security to curb the rising crime in the country.

The president says the situation has deteriorated because of under investment in the security sector during previous regimes.

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Giving his State of the Nation report to Parliament on Thursday, the President said the recently launched security initiatives among them Nyumba Kumi and installation of CCTV cameras along major streets will help improve the situation.

“My government has laid a firm base for the protection of our people and their property. Already, two major new security programs have been launched. One, our new Nyumba Kumi initiative, is a core national value; asking communities to join their governments in providing security is as clear an example of public participation as anyone could wish for,” he pointed out.

“Our second program took a broader, technology-driven approach. Among its first steps is the introduction of CCTV in the streets of our major cities and towns, and broadband connectivity at border points.”

Kenyatta added: “My government has also invested heavily in surveillance equipment, and at least 1,200 vehicles for our police.”

He said the Government will also allocate resources adequate to the needs of security agencies to modernise them and enable them meet current and emerging threats to safety.

“We will also substantially increase police numbers, which have already significantly progressed from one police officer for 750 citizens to 1:535 without forgetting their welfare. Ground has been broken on a new police housing scheme at Ruai in Nairobi; this will soon be replicated across all 47 counties. An insurance scheme for our men and women in uniform will be established by July this year,” he assured.

The president said his Government will continue participating in restoration of peace in neighbouring countries as their instability poses threat to the country’s stability.

“As we learned last year, insecurity anywhere in our region is a promise of insecurity everywhere. If we do not help our neighbours to achieve the peace, freedom and prosperity they deserve, then our own freedom and prosperity is threatened,” he stated.

“Last year’s evil terrorist attack, among the worst in Kenyan history, forcefully reminded us of these facts. I stood before the nation, and vowed that we would not be cowed or divided. Our response was firm, without threatening the bonds of brotherhood that hold between our different faiths. Under extreme provocation, the unity of the nation was preserved.”